Carmarthenshire Fund

The Carmarthenshire Fund provides support to the following themes:

• groups and organisations working to tackle poverty and isolation including fuel poverty and rural issues
• projects that work with the older generation to minimise loneliness
• groups and organisations that support the farming industry
• projects that help people with poor mental health to build confidence and resilience to broaden their horizons
• projects that will work to improve and raise the aspirations of disadvantaged children and young people

In 2020 Community Foundation Wales published the findings of a piece of research undertaken with more than 100 community groups across Wales.  Our Loud and Clear report highlighted that charities and community groups in Wales want funders to prioritise core funding and longer-term partnerships.  We have used the learning in this report to help us to shape our Carmarthenshire Community Endowment Fund and to show groups that we believe in their core purpose and want to support them to work more effectively in their community’s longer term.

We recognise how important it is for groups to be able to plan for the future and that having secure funding can give you the confidence and reassurance to develop your project over the long-term. Carmarthenshire Community Endowment Fund now offers groups the opportunity to apply for multi-year funding of up to 3 years but will also continue to offer 1 year project or small capital item funding.

We hope to be able to make at least one three-year grant per year. To be considered for a three-year grant please complete the additional section of the application form indicating how you plan to develop your project over the period of funding being applied for. NB. Your application will still be considered for one year funding if you are not successful with a three-year grant.

We also recognise the challenge of finding core funding, especially longer term.  Groups can now apply for funding towards core costs for up to 3 years, providing the group can provide accounts for at least the last 12 months and the amount being applied for is less that 50% of your annual turn over.  EG. To apply for a grant of £1, 000 per year, your annual income should be at least £2,000.

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. It requires organisations in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities and climate change.

We’re keen to encourage organisations to think about not just the community in which they live and work, but also how their work aligns with and complements the services and activities of other groups and organisations both voluntary and statutory.  We’d like you to think about how your organisation can work together with others to add value, working in partnership rather than in competition.  In your application, please explain your plans for the future as well as for the present, we would like to see how groups are thinking about the long-term impact of their decision making to work with and alongside others.

Local community groups, charities and projects can apply for grants of between £500 and £2,000.

Charities, not for profit groups and organisations running projects and activities in and around Carmarthenshire for the benefit of their local community (e.g. after school clubs, young farmers groups, luncheon clubs, memory cafes, befriending services etc.).